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Monday, September 7, 2015

Vatican City, 7 September 2015 (VIS) –
This morning the Holy Father received in audience the bishops of the
Portuguese Episcopal Conference, at the end of their “ad Limina”
visit, and subsequently handed them a written discourse in which he
praises, among other things, the growth of synodality as a style of
pastoral life in the country's particular Churches and various
initiatives including the general enquiry on the beliefs and faith of
the Portuguese people, the first response to which is the Note
“Promoting pastoral renewal in the Church in Portugal” (April
2013).

The Pope also emphasised that the
five-yearly reports of the bishops suggest that the Church in
Portugal has more positive than negative aspects and lives serenely,
guided by common sense, and is listened to by the majority of the
population and national institutions, even though her voice is not
always followed. The people are hospitable, generous, religious and
peace-loving, and the episcopate is fraternally united. The priests
are well-prepared both spiritually and culturally, and consecrated
persons are faithful to the charism of their founders, while the
laity expresses in the world the effective presence of the Church.

However, the Pope notes the abandonment
of Christian practice by young people after their confirmation,
precisely at an age at which they take up the reins of future life,
and asked if this is perhaps due to a failure of catechesis to grow
with them and to respond to their questions and concerns. He
therefore invites the bishops to rethink the question of a global
catechetical path covering different ages and offers them
encouragement, recalling that the Lord assures His constant presence
and His infallible assistance to the Church.